Display and dispensing device



July 31, 1934.

A. R. BROWNSON DISPLAY AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Jan. 23, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I? RBmwnson BY g ATTO R N EY5,

July 31, 1934. R. BROWNSON 1,968,013

DISPLAY AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HII' A1517 R- BFOWI'ISO" ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 31, 1934 T I ries DISPLAY AND DIsrENsiNG DEVICE Allyn R. Brownson, Asheville, N. 0. Application January 23, 1933; Serial No. 653,051 6 Claims. (01. 312-50) This invention is directed to improvements in display and dispensing device for articles particularly post-cards and the like.

An important object of this invention is to provide a storage and display container for cards and the like in which the cards on sale are stored within a substantially closed con-' tainer but from which they may easily be removed one at a time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display and storage device for cards and the like in which a sample of the card is exposed to view while the main body of the cards which are on sale, are held within a substantially dustproof container from which they may be readily removed as desired.

A further object of this invention is to embody a container of this type in a suitable display stand.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container of the above type having a stop or ledge against which the pack of cards within the container is pressed and flexed by. the application of pressure so that a single card will be positioned for ready removal through the discharge opening of the container.

These and many other objects as will appear hereinafter are obtained by means of this invention.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement and relative location of parts all as will be more fully described in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 shows one form of complete device of this invention in which a plurality of card containers are mounted in a display rack;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view through the entire structure;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, vertical, cross sectional view through one of the containers;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a modified form of rotatable display rack for supporting the containers;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view through the entire structure;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view through one of the containers.

In accordance with the present practice, post- 0 cards and. the like are displayed in a rack in which they are mounted so that the first card of each pack is displayed for examination. The packs of cards are usually supported in an open frame work so that the cards are exposed to dust and dirt and may be, and are, frequently handled considerably so that they become soiled and nonsalable.

The general object of this invention is to provide a display and dispensing device for post cards or the like in which a sample of each card on sale isclearly exposed to view while being protected from handling and soiling and is arranged with respect to a plurality of similar cards enclosed within a dust-proof casing from which, as desired, the cards may be removed, one at a time.

The nature and details of construction of the invention will now be described in detail in connection with the attached drawings.

One form of fixed display rack is shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprising side members 1 united at the top and bottom by cross members 2 and supported at an incline position by means of legs or standards 3. The side members 1 are provided at spaced intervals longitudinally thereof with oppositely disposed grooves 4.

l/i'ounted between the side members and secured therein in any suitable manner, are containers 6 which preferably, but not necessarily, are formed of sheet metal. These containers are supported just in back of each pair of grooves so that a glass or other transparent plate 5 when slipped down in the groove, will form a cover or closure plate for the open side of the containers 6. The containers 6 have a bottom wall which is formed with a lip 7 on the front edge thereof behind which the transparent plate 5 may slip when pushed into the groove 4.. As is clear from Figure 3, the transparent plate 5 forms a cover or closure for the containers 6 and a space is provided therebetween in which the sample cards 14 rest. This will be clear from Figure 1 where it is apparent that the cards 14.- with their pictorial side facing outwardly, are exposed to view through the transparent wall 5. The series of transverse walls 47 divide the container into individual compartments of suffi cient size to receive a pack of cards either in horizontal or vertical position. Extending longitudinally of the container 6 and forming a top therefor, is the U-shaped or channel member 8. This channel member may be continuous and the transverse walls 4'7 may be cut away to fit therein, or the channel member may be continuous and have slots in the lower wall within which the transverse walls fit. The channel member on its upper surface has one free edge folded back on itself to provide a rounded surface 9 spaced away from the back wall to provide slots 10 through which the cards may issue. The bot- 110 tom wall is rolled or beaded upon itself as indicated at 11 and may be freed by means of a rod 12 extending therethrough if desired.

The beaded end 11 is positioned from the bottom wall to provide a space for the desired number of cards which the container is to hold when filled. The cards have been indicated generally at 100. The cards in the pack 100 will of course be the same as the card 14 on display in front of that particular compartment. The back of the container is provided with an opening 13 positioned so that a finger may be inserted therein and pressure applied to the pack of cards below the stop or fulcrum provided by the bead 11. When pressure is thus applied to the cards below the fulcrum, they assume the position indicated in Figure 3 with the rearmost card contacting the rear wall of the container at its upper edge. As the finger is moved upwardly, that particular card will be pulled upwardly and will emerge through the slot 10. It may then be readily removed from the container.

In the modified arrangement of Figures 4, 5 and 6, the containers are mounted in a rotatable frame work in the form of a Ferris-wheel. A frame 20 is provided with vertical standards 21 in which is rotataby journaled a rotatable rack comprising hubs 22 mounted upon a shaft 22 and provided with radiating arms 23. Extending between these arms are frames 24. which are provided with oppositely disposed grooves 25 in which the transparent closure plates 36 are removably mounted. These frames are pivotally mounted on the arms 23 by pivot pins 30. In this case the container 26 is mounted in a frame 24 and is provided with a lip 2'7 on the front of the bottom wall as before. The top wall in this case consists of an L-shaped channel extending throughout the length of the container and positioned so that the flange 28 extends across the front of the container. As before this flange positioned with respect to the transparent wall so that the sample cards 14 may be held in position.

In this case the rod 29 extends longitudinally through the containers and is positioned to provide a fulcrum for the cards 100. A finger opening 31 is provided and a slot through which the cards may issue, is formed at the back of the container as before. In this case the container is divided into compartments by means of transverse walls 32 which do not extend all the Way to the bottom of the container as it is apparent that they need not necessarily do. If desired, the rod 29 for each container may extend through the radial arms 23 to provide pivot pins and to aid in holding the contain r in frames 24. An additional fixed container is provided at the front of the frame 20, proportioned so that the cards will 7 have their longitudinal length extending vertically as distinguished from the other form of the device where the long length extends horizontally.

From the above description it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain principles of construction and operation may be embodied in other physical forms without departure therefrom and I do not therefore desire to be strictly limited to the disclosure as given in the specification and drawings for purposes of illustration, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

What I seek to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A device as described comprising a closed container to receive a plurality of cards and a longitudinally extending rigid stop therein against which the cards may be pressed, the container having an opening in the back on one side of the stop through which pressure may be applied to the cards and an opening on the other side thereof through which the cards may be pulled, pressure on the cards flexing them to align them with the second mentioned opening.

2. A device as described comprising a card container having a substantially open front, a transparent closure plate for the front thereof behind which a card may be displayed and a fixed member in the container, the container having an opening in the wall adjacent said stop and a slit at the top, the fixed member being adjacent the slit whereby pressure applied to the cards through the opening will flex them into alignment with the slit.

3. A device as de cribed comprising a container having a antially open front, a plurality of transverse walls dividing the container into compartments, a transparent removable closure plate for the front of the container and a fixed stop extending across the compartments, said container having an opening in the rear wall thereof for each compartment and a slot at the top for each compartment.

4. A device as described comprising a substantially closed container, a plurality of walls in the container, dividing it into compartments and a fixed stop in each co....-partment forming a fulcrum point, the container having an opening in the rear wall for each compartment and a slot at the top of each compartment, whereby pressure applied to the cards below the stops through said openings forces the upper edges rearwardly into alignment with the slots.

5. A card dispensing device as described comprising a substantially closed container having a plurality of individual compartments, the back wall of each compartment having an opening and the top of each compartment having a slot and rigid stop means in each compartment, whereby pressure applied to the cards in any compartment through its opening will cause the cards to hex and the upper edges of the cards to move toward alignment with the slot.

6. A card display device comprising a supporting frame, an open face card container in the frame, a closure member for the container mounted in the frame, the container having an res 

